Nigeria aiming to be among 16 largest economies – Osinbajo

Nigeria's acting president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the country "is fast moving toward becoming one of the 16 largest economies in the world."Osinbajo made the statement on Tuesday at the palace of the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, as part of his one-day visit to Zamfara.

He said the target could be achieved through unity and hardwork by Nigerians. Osinbajo said the unity of Nigerians was paramount to the economic growth of the country.

He said: "Our diversity as a people united is also our potential to transform our large deposits of mineral resources and use same for national development."

The acting president the commended the effort of security agencies in the country in maintaining law and order.

While receiving the acting president, Bello thanked him for accepting all invitations to the state, adding: "You are now a son of the soil."

The emir commended the Federal Government for deploying security men to maintain peace in Zamfara.

He said since the deployment gunmen attacks, cattle rustling and kidnapping which threatened communities had become history.

The acting president was accompanied on the visit by the governors of Kebbi and Sokoto states, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu and Aminu Tambuwal respectively.

Ali Sheriff Left Out in the Cold

I was not invited to PDP meetings – Sheriff

 By Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party,   Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said in Abuja on Tuesday, that he was not invited to any of the meeting held by the party.

The national leadership of the party had four meetings at its national headquarters in Abuja between Monday and Tuesday.

While the Expanded Caucus meeting was held on Monday, the party held National Caucus, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee on Tuesday.

Neither Sheriff nor any of his group was at the meetings.

But Sheriff, who was said to have traveled outside the country, however appeal to members of his camp not to decamp to other parties.  Sheriff, who spoke through the former spokesmen of his National Working Committee, Mr. Bernard Mikko, said that he will address a world press conference on the way forward, after studying the Supreme Court judgment.

He said, “Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was neither in the country nor invited to the assemblage at Wadata Plaza yesterday evening.

“However, he will address a World Press Conference (WPC) to throw light on the way forward after we have received and studied the full judgement of the Supreme Court and analysed its import on our democracy.

“We therefore appeal to all our loyal supporters nationwide not to defect as we are still committed  to bringing the party back to the grassroots.

I am richer than Dangote - Marafa

- Senator Marafa said he is richer than the Africa’s richest man because the little he has is enough for him Senator Garba Marafa (APC Zamfara Central) has categorically said that he is richer than Aliko Dangote, the Africa’s richest man. Marafa said: I’m extremely rich because to me richness is in the mind. It is not how much money you have. ''As far as I’m concerned, I’m richer than Aliko Dangote because the little I have is enough for me. 

''I have never put myself in a very tight situation. This is my sixth year as a senator and I’m still living in a rented house. I don’t have a house in Abuja but I believe when the time comes I’ll have it.'' The senator however said that despite the fact that he has been a senator for six years, he still lives in a rented house, Daily Trust reports. He said he can not afford to buy a house in Abuja because he is always he does fail in his responsibilities. 

He also said that he promised the people that voted for him that he would not steal the money meant for them. 

Jar of Life- Valuable lessons for a happier life.

Professor fills pickle jar with rocks, sand, and beer, then one student raises his hand This incredible story teaches us all a valuable lesson for a happier life. A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty pickle jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.” He finally picked up two beers and slowly poured them into the jar. After the foam settled he asked his students one last time if the jar was full. They all laughed and said “Yes.” “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.” “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.” “Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” The room was silent for a moment as the students processed what the Professor had just said, then one young man raised his hand. “Professor, what do the two beers represent?” he asked. The Professor smiled and said “No matter how full your life gets, there’s always room for a couple of drinks with a good friend.” Do you agree with the professor? Like and share this story if you felt uplifted after reading it. Please leave a comment on Facebook and let us know what you thought about the story.

FERDINAND’S MOM DIES OF CANCER, LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER HE LOST HIS WIFE TO THE SAME DISEASE

Former Manchester United footballer and England defender, Rio Ferdinand, has been left heartbroken after losing his mother to breast cancer, less than two years after his wife tragically died of the same disease.

Janice St Fort, who stood by the footballer's side through the turmoil of losing his wife Rebecca, died at the London Bridge Hospital at the age of 58 after losing her battle to the disease with her family at her bedside on Thursday.

Rio, brother Anton and the family said: The statement read:  'We are heartbroken to announce that our amazing mum Janice passed away today after an ongoing battle with cancer,'

'She was an inspiration to us all and was loved by everyone who knew her. She died at Guy's Cancer Unit, London Bridge Hospital, with her loving husband Peter and us, re, at her bedside.

'She was a devoted mother to us all, and she was the most incredible grandmother to our children.

'The whole family are devastated.

'Our mum was the centre and the heart of our family and has supported us all through many difficult times, always with a smile on her face.

'Her strength and courage, as well as her great sense of humour and immense kindness, were never-ending.

'We would like to thank all the staff at Guy's Cancer Unit for looking after our mum so well during her illness especially Marta and Joanna as well as everyone who has sent kind wishes to us all during this difficult time.'

Ambode approved the immediate suspension of the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday approved the immediate suspension of the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, Chief Yusuf Ogundare for faking his kidnap which allegedly took place on July 5, 2017.

Alleged suspects, Baale of Shangisha, Chief Yusuf Ogundare (right), with his brother and accomplice, Mohammed Adams (left), being paraded during a press briefing at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, July 13, 2017.

TONY BLAIR’ VISIT: WHEN BUHARI IS DECLARED DEAD THE PLAN IS FOR OSINBAJO TO APPOINT NASIR EL RUFAI AS HIS VP – FANI KAYODE